Programme Director,
The MQA Board Chairperson,
The Chief Executive Officer of the MQA,
Members of the MQA Board,
The Management of the MQA,
Stakeholders representing different mining houses,
Stakeholders representing different labour organisations,
Beneficiaries of various MQA learning programmes,
Award nominees and winners,
MQA staff members,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It was Voltaire who said, and I quote, “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” I believe the statement sums up perfectly what we as the MQA sought to relay about the achievements of our valued stakeholders, by hosting tonight’s awards gala event.
I feel honoured to have been given this important platform to offer my closing remarks following the proceedings of tonight’s delightful event. It is such a joy to see so many beaming faces.
On behalf of the MQA Board, I offer my gratitude to our Programme Director, Ms Merle Clark, for the masterful manner in which she guided tonight’s activities as we recognise, celebrate and honour our valued stakeholders’ achievements during the previous financial year.
I also extend my gratitude to our Board Chairperson, for officially opening tonight’s proceedings, and for always having this ability to make us feel welcomed, and more so at this important and memorable event.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to the Chief Executive Officer of the Mining Qualifications Authority, Dr Thabo Mashongoane for not only expertly detailing the purpose and objectives of this awards event, but for offering us this opportunity to glimpse the undeniable successful achievements of our valued stakeholders.
It is such a rewarding experience to witness how our skills development objectives, as the MQA, translate from numbers on a page, to inspiring testimonies of success.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines good practice as a good or wise thing to do. Our nominees and winners tonight have more than skilfully demonstrated this quality. Without fail you have embraced this motto, and we thank you for continuing to partner with the MQA to proudly carry the baton that propels skills development in our sector forward.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Director-General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi from the Department of Higher Education and Training for the hearty and encouraging words that I am certain have been eagerly welcomed by all of our nominees and winners.
A special thank you goes to Mr Lebogang Rampyapedi, who in my mind, exemplifies what limitless powers of determination and self-belief look like.
Lebogang, I would like to express my gratitude for your passion, foresight, and intentional way of being a genuine ambassador that is influencing the trajectory of our mining and minerals sector.. Your journey has provided us with much food-for-thought that will help us to reflect as we aim to advance our sector. And it is because of you that someone in our audience today has remembered their goals and dreams, has decided to latch onto them, and never let go.
I would like to thank the organising staff from the MQA for the time and effort it took to put together this amazing event and ensuring that the vision for this event is successfully executed.
And it is Robert Kiyosaki who said, and I quote, “If you’re going to be a winner in life, you have to constantly go beyond your best”, end quote. Tonight, we are all winners, for our tireless contribution in forging the mining and minerals sector into becoming the success that it is.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us for some dessert and networking as we conclude our awards gala dinner event.
We hope you enjoyed attending our event, as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
To stakeholders that will be travelling back home tonight, please drive safely to your different destinations. As always, we look forward to seeing you again.
Thank you, Programme Director.